Where to Find Web Images for Your Website

Finding good quality images for your website can be a challenge if you are unaware of the resources available to you. There are tons of inexpensive sources for obtaining images for your webpage.

If you are looking for top quality images an excellent source is GettyImages.com. It has one of the largest selections of high quality images for both website use, as well as, for use on other mediums like banners, magazine ads and brochures â€“ just to name a few. These images come in very high resolutions that can create clean, crisp images that are professionally done. But the only downfall is that the images are quite expensive. Ive seen some images cost anywhere from the mid hundreds to seeing some as high as $1,200.00. If you need lots of images for your site, than this may not be the best site for you.

However, if you are on a limited budget, consider image sites that are free or those that simply charge a very low rate for images. Here are a few of my favorites:

IstockPhoto.com â€“ is a simple yet easy to use photo site that is very inexpensive. The photos are only $1 which is a bargain if you need lots of images for your website.

But the only downfall in using photos from IstockPhoto.com is if your main focus is on the photographs for that product you are selling (for example an e-book on makeup), you cannot use the images for that. However, if you are simply using the images and photos from IstockPhoto.com and the photos are simply related to the content on your website or related to the content in your e-book, then you can use the images.

IstockPhoto.com is an excellent image/photo site. There are no subscription fees or any other added costs. You can instantly download the photos onto your computer and bingo, youre done! But what I like best about IstockPhoto.com is you can actually pay a lump sum through their credit system and purchase images whenever you need to. Once youve used up the amount of money in your account through the purchase of photos, you can simply put more money into your account and purchase more photos at a later date. Its convenient and so simple to use! The only drawback is that some categories have a limited selection of photos but other than that its a must try photo site.

Dreamstime.com â€“ Offers high resolution stock images for as low as 77 cents! Although very inexpensive there are some rules to using the Dreamstime.com images. You are not able to make the image available for download on your website or sell products like web templates, greeting cards, t-shirts, mugs, wallpapers etc, with the images on it. You must also not use the image if the width of the image exceeds 800 pixels. If you want to find out more about their terms of service, check out http://www.dreamstime.com/terms#royaltyfree

SXC.hu â€“ According to SXC.hu you may use the images in the following formats: multimedia presentations, websites, cell phone images, video and broadcast film. In terms of print materials the images can be used in several formats whether its for magazines, books, newspapers, flyers, CD or DVD covers, etc. Best of all you can even use them along with your corporate identity (e.g., on letterhead or business cards. They can even be placed on display. This is quite good for a free service! The only drawback according to their terms of service agreement is that you cannot endorse any service or product if it depicts a person. You also cannot give a bad name to SXC or the person in the picture. Nor can you redistribute the images. The full terms of service can be found at http://www.sxc.hu/info.phtml?f=help&s=8_2

morgueFile.com â€“ is a free service! Although free, if you use some images, you may have to consult the owner first before you make use of the image or photo. Its a great service. The site is easy to use with quick download time. Although the photo selection is limited, you cant go wrong with a free service!

ClipArt.com â€“ The largest collection of royalty free images and photos. ClipArt.com has a selection of over 6 million photos. One of the main restrictions in their terms of service is that the image cannot be used in any public distributed or accessed form for final or product use. The full terms of service can be found at http://www.clipart.com/en/company/terms

Do you know of a web images resource that’s not mentioned here? Common … don’t be shy. Share it with us.